Apple Music to WAV on Mac

WAV is an uncompressed audio format that practically every program opens: rekordbox, Serato DJ, Traktor, Logic Pro, GarageBand, Final Cut Pro, Premiere and DaVinci Resolve. Here's how to download Apple Music songs as WAV files on a Mac — and when another format is the better pick.

Updated November 3, 2026 · 5 min read

When to choose WAV

• DJ software — rekordbox, Serato DJ and Traktor read WAV without plug‑ins, and older CDJ players often support only WAV, AIFF and MP3.
• Editing and video — WAV loads into Logic Pro, GarageBand, Audacity, Final Cut Pro or Premiere with no decoding and no loss when you save again.
• Gear that doesn't know FLAC — some samplers, mixers and players accept WAV only.

For everyday listening, FLAC or ALAC is the better choice — they are lossless too, take roughly half the space and keep tags more reliably.

Step by step

1. Get Music File Lab from the Download page and drag it into Applications.
2. Create a free account — your first 3 songs are free, no card required.
3. Connect Apple Music with the button in the top‑right corner.
4. Copy a link to a song, album or playlist (“Share → Copy Link”).
5. Paste the link and choose WAV.
6. Click Download. .wav files land in your chosen folder — optionally in a separate “WAV” subfolder, so they don't mix with other formats.

Tags and artwork in WAV files

WAV was designed for raw audio, so metadata support varies. Music File Lab writes title, artist, album and track number into the WAV file (in an ID3 chunk) and, if you like, the artwork too. Not every program reads them, though — Finder and the Music app usually don't show WAV artwork. That's why you can turn on saving an artwork image next to each song in Settings.

If tags matter in your DJ software, test a few files before downloading a whole playlist. rekordbox and Serato also read ALAC and FLAC, which store tags more reliably than WAV.

How much space does WAV take?

Music File Lab saves WAV as 16‑bit PCM stereo. A minute of that is about 10 MB, so a 3–4 minute song takes 30–40 MB and an album usually 400–600 MB. That's roughly twice the size of the same song in FLAC or ALAC and several times an MP3.

WAV, FLAC, ALAC or MP3 — quick comparison

More in the format guide.

What you can use the files for

Downloaded files are for your private listening and practice. Don't share or publish them, and don't play them in public without the proper licences. Use the app in line with the law in your country and Apple Music's terms.

Frequently asked questions

Can I download a whole Apple Music playlist as WAV?

Yes — paste a playlist or album link and choose WAV. Whole collections are part of Premium; the free trial covers 3 songs.

Does WAV sound better than FLAC?

No. FLAC and ALAC are lossless — on playback they give exactly the same sound as WAV, just in a smaller file. You choose WAV for compatibility, not for sound.

How is Music File Lab different from TuneFab, Sidify or NoteBurner?

It's a native, Mac‑only app with a 3‑full‑song free trial, synced .LRC lyrics and five formats. See the TuneFab, Sidify and NoteBurner alternatives guide.

rekordbox, Serato, Traktor, TuneFab, Sidify and NoteBurner are trademarks of their respective owners. Music File Lab is not affiliated with them.